SIX SHOOTERS’ FRESH TARGET

Paddy wants Reds to aim higher having achieved their initial goal

CLIFTONVILLE boss Paddy Mclaughlin has urged his players not to take their foot off the pedal in the race for Europe after securing a topsix finish at the weekend.

Saturday’s 2-1 win at Portadown banked a European playoff at least and ensured the Reds would play out the remainder of the season in the top half of the table.

But Mclaughlin knows a win this evening would see the Solitude club close the gap on second and automatic qualification for the Europa Conference League.

With seven league games left to play, the Reds – who lie fifth – are just six points off second placed Coleraine with a game in hand.

“We want to try and stay in touch with the leading pack,” said Mclaughlin.

“At the very least, the aim was always to secure top-six and get into the playoffs. We have done that, but it’s up to us now to see how well we can finish the season off.

“To finish in the top six in this league, you have to do really well, particularly against a number of full-time clubs, but that’s not where we want to leave it.

“We’re not setting any targets, but we want to accumulate as many points as we can in our remaining games and finish as high up the division as possible.”

Cliftonville have found momentum at the perfect time, winning five and drawing two of their last seven outings.

They are also unbeaten in their last nine league outings at Solitude, with their last defeat at their north Belfast home a 2-0 loss to Coleraine before Christmas.

“Glentoran is another tough game,” said Mclaughlin.

“They had a tough game against Coleraine

(1-1) on Friday night and they’ll probably be disappointed with a draw.

“They’re a team full of quality, they’ve had huge financial investment and it shows in the squad they have assembled. They have a fantastic squad of players.

“It’ll be a challenge, but it’s up to us to try to shackle them and go on to win the match.

“If we can continue playing the way we can and scoring the goals we’re scoring you never know where it might take us.”

Elsewhere tonight, fourth placed Larne can also close the gap on the top three when they face Portadown at Shamrock Park. Tiernan Lynch’s (inset) men, fresh from Saturday’s 5-0 hammering of Warrenpoint Town, lie two points below the Glens and four points adrift of Coleraine.

Warrenpoint host Glenavon, who need a win to keep their faint top-six hopes alive.

FORWARD MOMENTUM Paddy Mclaughlin is determined to see his players maintain their fine form